AKHBAR IS ANWAAR - PART 4

Next year during the pilgrimage season,  a group of twelve people came from Madinah, which included five who had met the Prophet (SA) the previous year. They took a pledge, which is known as the First 'Aqabah Pledge. 

After the pledge (in the form of an oath had been taken) the Prophet (SA) sent with the group the first Muslim ambassador Mus'ab bin Umair, to teach the people there, the doctrine of Islam, give them practical guidance and propagate Islam among those who still professed polytheism.

So prepared was the ground and so zealous the propagation, that Islam spread rapidly from house to house, from tribe to tribe.

In the next year, thirteenth of Prophethood, June 622 CE during the pilgrimage season, over seventy converts from Madinah came along with others. The oft repeated question among them was – " Isn't it high time, we protect Muhammad (SA) instead of leaving him abandoned in Makkah ?"

They met secretly at night with the Prophet (SA) during the Tashreeq Days (the 11^th, 12^th and 13^th day of Dhul-Hijjah) on a hillock at Al- Aqabah, the last year's meeting place.

After events dealing with the conditions of allegiance had ended, and all had agreed to endorse it, two early converts, explained to others of the serious step they were about to take, so that they could give the pledge fully aware of the whole affair, and consequently be ready for the sacrifices they were expected to make.

Muhammad (SA) then asked the group to appoint twelve people to represent their people, being responsible in regard to the articles of the pledge.

Next year during the pilgrimage season,  a group of twelve people came from Madinah, which included five who had met the Prophet (SA) the previous year. They took a pledge, which is known as the First 'Aqabah Pledge. 

After the pledge (in the form of an oath had been taken) the Prophet (SA) sent with the group the first Muslim ambassador Mus'ab bin Umair, to teach the people there, the doctrine of Islam, give them practical guidance and propagate Islam among those who still professed polytheism.

So prepared was the ground and so zealous the propagation, that Islam spread rapidly from house to house, from tribe to tribe.

In the next year, thirteenth of Prophethood, June 622 CE during the pilgrimage season, over seventy converts from Madinah came along with others. The oft repeated question among them was – " Isn't it high time, we protect Muhammad (SA) instead of leaving him abandoned in Makkah ?"

They met secretly at night with the Prophet (SA) during the Tashreeq Days (the 11^th, 12^th and 13^th day of Dhul-Hijjah) on a hillock at Al- Aqabah, the last year's meeting place.

After events dealing with the conditions of allegiance had ended, and all had agreed to endorse it, two early converts, explained to others of the serious step they were about to take, so that they could give the pledge fully aware of the whole affair, and consequently be ready for the sacrifices they were expected to make.

Muhammad (SA) then asked the group to appoint twelve people to represent their people, being responsible in regard to the articles of the pledge.

After the endorsement of the Second 'Aqabah Pledge and the establishment of a small Muslim state in a vast desert surging with disbelief and ignorance – the most significant gain in terms of Islam – Muhammad (SA) gave his leave for the Muslims to migrate to Madinah, the emerging Muslim state.

The polytheists spared no effort in hindering and debarring the Muslims, who had to bear with much hardship. Abu Salamah when he decided to leave Makkah, his in-laws, in a desperate bid to raise obstacles detained his wife and snatched his son, and dislocated his hand. There were many such instances, but within two months of the "Aqabah pledge many migrated leaving their land, houses and wealth behind.

The polytheists were paralyzed by the carefully planned and speedy movement of the Muslims towards their new abode in Madinah.

As Madinah was inhabited by the powerful  Al- Aws and Al-Khazraj tribes and controlled the commercial routes leading to Makkah, the Quriash started to feel threatened.

So on 26^th Safar, Thursday morning (12^th September 622 CE) ie: two and half months after the Great 'Aqabah Pledge, all the Quraishite tribes attended the meeting at An –Nadwah (Council House)

At the meeting at An-Nadwah, there was a lengthy debate and several proposals were put forward. The arch enemy Abu Jahl bin Hisham suggested that they kill the Prophet (SA) and this heinous crime to carried out by a band of young men each form one tribe. This sinful proposal was unanimously accepted and the representatives went back homewith full determination for immediate implementations.

Muhaamd (SA) immediately came to know of the diabolic plot by a Revelation in which he was also granted permission to leave Makkah. The eleven polytheists surrounded the house of Prophet(SA) as night fell, and Abu Jahl strutted around the house with pride, confident that they will succeed before dawn. Occasionally they use to peep inside the house making sure that Muhammad (SA) and Moulana Ali (SA) were there. They had planned to strike in a group as Muhammad (SA) emerged for morning namaz.

Before dawn break Muhammad (SA) left the house, making Moulana Ali (SA) sleep on his bed wearing his mantle. Muhammad (SA) left the house casting a handful of dust on the assassins and reciting the verses from Quran.

In the early morning the assassins were bewildered to find Moulana Ali (SA) sleeping on the bed, and by this time Muhammad (SA) had long left Makkah and tricked the polytheists by taking the road least expected lying south of Makkah and leading towards Yemen, than the usual road going to Makkah.

Muhammad (SA) hid in the cave on mount Thawr with his companion for three nights.

to be contd: